Neutropenia febril em pacientes oncológicos pediátricos: o papel do enfermeiro na prevenção e manejo de infecções

Abstract

According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), around 80% of children and adolescents affected by cancer can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment in specialized centers. As a treatment protocol, patients undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and sometimes surgical procedures. Although chemotherapy is essential for treatment, it affects cell function, generating various side effects, including febrile neutropenia, which is the leading cause of death. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of nurses in the prevention and managing infections in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia during cancer treatment. This is a review of the literature, based on studies published between 2016 and 2023. Research published in national and international journals was included in the following databases: LILACS, SciELO, Medline, Science direct. A total of 1,699 studies were found. After selecting the exclusion criteria and reading the journals in full, 11 studies were included. Febrile neutropenia is an oncological emergency, as these patients have a higher risk of infections and sepsis; low- risk patients can be treated at home, and the nurse's leadership of patients in home care has shown good results, as it not only reduces hospital readmissions, but is also low-cost. The nurse's role ranges from infection prevention to infection management. It was concluded that nursing interventions were fundamental in reducing infectious complications and improving the quality of life of these patients, but that these professionals need to be continually improved so that they can play their role effectively.